Hello! Vanakam! Ni hao! Selamat datang! Teng bong!

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The last four greetings are hello in Tamil, Mandarin, Malay and Kristang(spoken by Euraisans) respectively. I hail from a very multi-cultural and multi-religious tiny Island city known as Singapore in South East Asia. So even though English is the official language ( spoken by Singaporeans & used as medium of instruction in schools), we have 3 other official languages; Mandarin, Malay & Tamil. You'll often see signboards in all the 4 languages or hear announcements in all 4 languages.  That's coz Singapore is made up of Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians. But of course now, we have people from so many countries calling Singapore home!​​

 

I use dark fantasy and horror elements to explore difficult topics like abuse, personality disorders and disabilities which are my lived-in experiences. My stories usually has characters with disabilities & characters from the LGBTQIA community. I also make films where I work with cast and crew who have disabilities.​

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In 2023, I made Singapore's first disability-led indie psychological horror which gained the attention of local & international press. The film, which was written, directed and produced by me, is currently in the festival circuit. In the same year, two of my short films which I also wrote, directed and produced won third place and a commendation prize in the Pokka Film Festival and the Iaminvisible film festival. Two other short films which I made in 2024, Can You See Me, Daddy, which explores child mental health & Lov-Able which explores ablesim in a disabled couple's relationship, are also currently in the film festival circuit.​

 

I'm from an Indian Muslim background. We are Malayali's and speak English & Malayalam ( an Indian language) at home but I took Tamil as my second language in school. So by the time I was seven, I could speak three languages fluently. Singapore is a secular country and we have a great tolerance and respect for different races and religions. I'm considered a minority here as Chinese are the majority race in Singapore. And among the Indians, Malayalis, especially Malayali Muslims, make up a very small number.

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Coming from a secular & religiously diverse & tolerant country, my views on religion and God have changed a lot. Today, I would say I'm a free thinker. This is a term used in Singapore to describe people who do not follow one particular religion. Free thinkers accept and/or adopt parts of all religions.

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I do tend to write about some serious stuff in a lighthearted manner and that's because I have experienced the things that I write about. So, if you see topics like abuse, mental health issues, dyslexia etc in my stories, rest assured that's coming from an ownvoices perspective. 

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My stories reflect my identity but it's also an avenue for me to explore my deep love for horror. Not a surprise, I'm Singaporean after all. Singapore is a super modern and sophisticated country but we Singaporeans hold our traditions, superstitions & urban legends very close to our hearts. As a kid, I grew up on diet of ghost stories and scary myths. I mean you guys have Halloween. That's one day. We have a month long Hungry Ghost festival. Beat that if you can :)

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*I put some pics  of Singapore below so you guys have an idea of how it is:)

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